I just got off the phone with Steve Whitmore, Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca's spokesman, who tells me that an official inquiry has been opened in the matter of an LA sheriff's deputy named Benjamin Ring. The deputy appeared in a Scientology mailer that encourages church members to spend money on expensive services rather than invest in real estate or put it away in a 401K.

Images of the mailer first showed up about a week ago on the Internet, but the message on it, accompanied by an image of Deputy Ring in his full police gear, was so outlandish, we suspected a hoax. Only after we'd received a physical copy of the mailer and verified with the Church of Scientology Los Angeles that it had put out the document did we contact the LA Sheriff's Department for comment.

"Your concerns about the text are our concern. We're going to get to the bottom of it," Whitmore told me this afternoon as he let me know that an official inquiry -- which may lead to an internal affairs investigation -- was already underway.

Whitmore says that some executives at the Sheriff's Department had been aware of the mailer when it first went out and began in inquiry, but Whitmore knew nothing about it until the Voice sent over images of it by e-mail earlier today. (Whitmore says he was not called earlier about the matter, despite an Internet report that Whitmore had told a member of Anonymous that there was no problem with a deputy appearing in an advertisement in his uniform. Update:It was Garry Scarff who earlier posted that he'd talked to Whitmore about deputies endorsing products in uniform, but he says he may not have mentioned the flier, which Whitmore told me he had not learned about until earlier today.)

In fact, Whitmore says it's against Department policy for deputies to endorse products while appearing in uniform.

"We are not in the business of endorsing any particular anything, if you know what I mean," he told me. "People in their off-duty hours in their regular street clothes can do whatever they want, but when they don Sheriff's Department gear it's another matter."

Sheriff Lee Baca himself can do what he wants as an elected official, and Whitmore acknowledged that Baca had made supportive statements about Scientology in the past.

"The Sheriff believes that everybody deserves a seat at the table. There are certain things with Scientology he thinks are good. He likes that they're trying to get people off of alcohol and drugs," Whitmore said. "That's an overall philosophical statement. He's an elected official and has every right to do that."

But deputies are another matter, he pointed out. "We're looking at this very seriously."

I called the Church of Scientology Los Angeles -- the "LA Org" -- to ask about the mailer. After acknowledging that they had put out the mailer, the person who answered my call told me someone else would call me back. They never did. I also did not get a call back from Karin Pouw, church spokeswoman.

The person who sent us a copy of the mailer received a copy of it in the mail on July 26. It's a single glossy sheet, and on one side, Deputy Ring can be seen endorsing "co-auditing to clear at LA Org."

As has been voluminously documented here at the Voice and in many court cases and by other news organizations, one of the realities of life in Scientology is for members to be continuously hit up for increasingly expensive services by church "registrars" as they move up "the Bridge" of spiritual advancement. Founder L. Ron Hubbard claimed that dedicated adherence to his "technology" would lead a parishioner to became a "clear," a person who is so unencumbered by life's traumas, he or she would be clairvoyant, have total recall, and master other seemingly superhuman qualities.

In the mailer, Deputy Ring seems to acknowledge that advancing up the Bridge could lead to financial difficulty: "I kept talking to the Registrars and I thought if I'm going to co-audit, I might as well keep co-auditing up the Bridge and it's a way to do it and not have money be a problem."

Reaching "clear" is only one stop on the Bridge -- even higher levels call for even higher prices. An individual step on the Bridge might cost $7,000 or $8,000, and call for many additional services and remedial steps before moving on to a higher station on the process.

"I was saving all this money to do the Bridge later," Ring goes on, "instead of just taking the money I did have to invest in my spiritual freedom."

Ring -- again, while appearing as an authority figure in his sheriff's deputy uniform -- now attempts to convince his reader that there are few better ways to invest large amounts of money than in Scientology training:

What's the point of having a condo in Burbank or going to Europe instead of investing in myself. Instead of flowing money to my IRA or 401K, why don't I just flow money toward my Bridge?

"In other words, he's saying that to go clear, it would cost you about what it would cost to buy a condo," says Jason Beghe, an actor and former Scientology celebrity who left the church in 2007 after, by his estimate, spending about a million dollars on Scientology services over a 13-year period.

"It's the safest investment there is, because it's kind of magical," he added, sarcastically.

A Malibu resident, Beghe says that the particular Scientology outfit that created the mailer, the "LA org," is "kind of a joke." There are much more prestigious Scientology facilities in the area, which is one of the religion's main hubs.

As for the mailer's aggressive approach, asking for large sums, Beghe says "That's what Scientology does."

"That's all the time. I remember there was a guy who was trying to get me -- he was an IAS [International Association of Scientologists] registrar, those guys are crazy -- he was saying that he had a contracting business and had a $600,000 windfall, and he said he gave it all to the IAS, and then tripled his income. So when you get a windfall, the best thing for you financially, they'll tell you, is to give the whole thing to them. I kid you not. And people believe it," he says.

"A working person, to co-audit the Bridge, would take going to the org every night. You'd be there from 6 to 10, and it would still take you many years to go clear," Beghe says. "He'll wake up when he can't pay for his kids' school."

UPDATE: Just talked to Brian Culkin for another perspective on the amounts of money we're dealing with in Scientology. Although Culkin, a yoga instructor, was only in Scientology for a short time -- from January 2009 to February 2010 -- in that time, as he worked to "go clear," he gave Scientology $350,000. And then "blew" -- Scientology jargon for leaving the church.

Imagine the sort of condo you could buy with that kind of deposit money.

This article is unfair. I just started scientology and now that it has over 100 million church members worldwide, (with some 70 million members living in Los Angeles) I am excited to give them a couple hundred thousand dollars to become one of them.

I agree that no cops should be endorsing anything while in uniform. However , Leroy Baca needs to look in the mirror now. For the past several years, Baca allowed deputies, while on or off duty, to march in the West Hollywood gay pride freakshow, oops,I mean parade. Also, there are numerous photos of a muslim reserve deputy, while in uniform, on duty, full beard and towel on head. Where's Baca's policy then? And Whitmore, shut your pie hole. You're not a cop, you won't be investigating anything. Until Baca makes the policy apply to all, I support this deputy. I hope he fights LASD to the bitter end.

Anyone who would participate in entrapment and dirty tricks to arrest a teen who was trying to escape from that slave camp should be investigated and made to work in their concentration camp for a while, especially the Sheriff because he's supposed to protect kids' freedoms, not help corrupt phoney churches keep slaves!

Dear Tony,This is great. With a little more digging you will find a pile. The Sherrif's wife has completed Scn Courses (source Khirsty Watchers Scientology names site) I also read on the internet that he has actually brought some of the Scientology "business models" into the Sherif's office totrain some of his men. I know he supports Scientology on a float of theirs every year at the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Can't remember if he is in full uniform, But I do believe he is.Also take a look at what you already have on the Danny Montalvo Case. Notice the lawyers did not bring him into the LAPD, they brought him to the Sherrif's office, where I do believe he was book upon a Scientology Lawyers say so. I could never figure out why he was booked with the LA Sherrifs' office, and not the LAPD. Perhaps there is even more to this story.nancy

The sheriff's office should be very concerned. The uniform is an impermissible state support of a religion. Numerous legal decisions hold anyone who suggest Scientology might in secular fashion provide benefits is guilty of fraud. The department could be liable to anyone who joined relying on the ad.

There is a history of Police and cults as they are targeted like entertainers are. In the 70's several law enforcement officers were caught stealing their department's Scientology files.

In l978 I personally stopped a plan by est to train the entire LAPD force. Now decades later Scientology is zooming in and authorities are holding hands when they are just googles away from Sopranos comparisons.

"Advanced Courses [in Scientology] are the most valuable service on the planet. Life insurance, houses, cars, stocks, bonds, college savings, all are transitory and impermanent... There is nothing to compare with Advanced Courses. They are infinitely valuable and transcend time itself." - L. Ron Hubbard speaking of his Operating Thetan Courses, Flag Mission Order 375

This CULT with it's tentacles in law enforcement, politics, the justice system etc. to twist and bend the laws and everything imaginable to their favor. A policeman takes an oath to put the law ahead of all. A CULT member takes an oath they will put Scientology ahead of everything. So, what does the Cop do?? Please get an answer to that one! The MULTIMILLION dollar corporation of the CULT has the taxpayers dishing out millions for medical care for their slaves! Yes, we the taxpayers pay for all this and then when their members get old, they throw them away like trash, dump them in a nursing home and who is paying the bill? Again WE are. Why is this CULT getting away with this? Yes, we all know the US does not want to go up against them, but hey come on now. If the media would start pounding the pavement with all these stories coming out, and we all keep demanding something be done then maybe it will. It's starting to unravel now so maybe we will start to see some justice. Janet Reitman's new book on Scientology was in People magazine's pick for top 5 books to read this month! That in itself tells us a lot. The secrets are outDing dong the wicked CULT is DEAD. Cry me a river David Miscavige, you are the most abusive, maniacal, psychopath to ever run a CULT and you WILL be taken down off the apple box you stand on so everyone can see you. Take Tom Cruise with you, he knows exactly about all the abuse which is still going on and still supports you. Hmmm, wonder why??? That is pretty sick if you think about it. TICK TOCK the end is near.....

If I had a nickel every time I heard "Buy (scientology) Now, and you'll triple, quadruple, wait, 10X your income, your inflows, your business clients".

Scientology brochures and promo and literature always, always, always has a "sucess story" that includes someone who had these omg profit margins after a scientology service that would make Warren Buffet think he'd been doin' it all wrong.

There was a time long ago and far away where "someone" had an actual name so if they were exaggerating or lying, you would know it, at least later on. You can imagine why that practice ended. The few Scientologists who are actually richer than dirt didn't get their wealth from scientology services, but have always been quite willing to say sci was part of it, if not all of it.

I wonder if Benjamin Ring cashed out a 401K and/or IRA with a Premature Distribution. Ouch, that would have got him, what, at least 20% or more total penalties? Did he have a condo already and short sale'd it for what, at least a 30% loss, maybe much more? Did he cash out a CD or some other instrument of savings at a loss? I hope someone in his department, or his union, tries to talk some financial sense with him.

Obviously his parents haven't and I hope they wake up when they see the results of their scientology upbringing. There is No Excuse for the rampant financial irresponsibility scientologists have demonstrated in the last 10 years, and for those who out and out commit fraud (hey, false purposes listed on loans is fraud, too, btw). Taxpayers in your community are paying the price. It's time you paid society back. Report economic crimes to the authority now. You, scientologists, are all responsible for the false financial concepts of young men like Benjamin Ring.

I want to know what Benjamin says he will do if he sees or knows of a crime committed by a Scientologist, will he go to Scientology to report it or LA Sheriff's Dept? That's a simple question and I think it deserves an honest answer.

I'd also like to know if Benjamin has ever heard of OSA's Enemies List, and if he was asked to help OSA with their enemies, in any way, capacity, any time, will he? That's an honest question that deserves a simple answer.

It's easier than you might think. At least since the early '80s anybody could get that info from the DMV, however a couple of 'celebrity stalking' cases got them to shut that down. But, only to the general public. Any Private Investigator or even Insurance Agent (and, Scientology has lots of both) can still access that information.

Naturally, given Scientology's 'Keeping Scientology Working' policy and the willingness of practicing Scientologists to put the 'good of the 'church'' above legal and ethical considerations, it's iffy to have any practicing Scientologist in a position of trust, such as a cop, judge, bank employee or even working at an internet provider. Which raises other issues too.

But, i doubt that Scientology has many dirty cops in the Sheriff's Office or LAPD; they're better known for hiring them once they're fired, such as 'Clean Gene' Ingram, one of their top PIs since the early '80s.

Glenn Barton was actually the official LAPD *Chaplain* during the '90s, but, he was finally removed when his OSA antics got too embarassing.

However, the 'Church' of Scientology not only has influence on the LA Sheriff's Dept. through Sheriff Baca. They're also very influential in the Probation Department and even in the Los Angeles County Jail system, both through Baca and also their 'Criminon' front organization. Insidiously so.

excuse me but what does somebody having a beard have anything to with being deputy? is it just because he's muslim? was he endorsing anything with his beard? or with that "towel" on his head? You just wanted to say something ignorant.. unfortunately it was also WRONG - he wouldn't be a muslim he would be Sikh with that "towel"

Wheweeee, the secrets come out of the closet. So, there is an inside connection and the Sheriff is using his power for personal use and favor!He should quietly step down and resign after apologizong to that kid and clearing his record.who controls the Sheriffs dept.? This should be investigated before ot gets further out of hand!

Hey Paul,I'm assuming that the theft in the seventies was part of the continuing Operation Snow White. Any specific names or departments that you recall there? I don't recall any specific tales about police officers at the time, so I'm interested in knowing.

The close association of Sheriff Lee Baca in general, endorsing/being at many Scientology events, in uniform really needs a close examination by authorities.

If Hubbard had even one tiny iota of good intentions or honesty, if he believed what he said in this quote, than he would, like every decent great mind in history, try to disseminate the "advanced teachings" rather than locking them away in a fee-for-service corporation.

Being with my Father on his last day I asked the nurse,"He's not going to make it through the night, is he?" Her reply,"His body is doing everything it can to survive, but it's like a rubberband that will eventually snap."

Last 10 years it's just escalated, much like our good citizens and friends in Wall Street lately have done. But I have to include the fact that financial acrobatics has been an enmeshed piece of the sci fabric from day one, 60 years ago.

I think there are several reliable sources for an answer to your question. Top of the list is the IRS. They would have a buffet of "data", like how many Scientologists have declared bankruptcy in just the last 5 years while simultaneously filing large tax exemptions for scientology donations, and the exact $ figures for those two diabolically opposed entries.

Next try Foreclosure records and see how many Scientologists are listed on that record for the last 5 years. Now, where would you go to find the sorry stories of scientologists who dared to age and were left homeless or without funds for medical care, abandoned by their members and especially the regges when they ran out of assets, youth and hope.

Oh wait, the taxpayers have to pay yet again for scientology hocus bogus. But who cares, right, because taxpayers are just lowly human beings from Planet Earth, who have to pay more and more into those nonsense financial plans before They can retire.

That question isn't honest, btw. The only answer you would accept or believe would be the cops resignation from duty. To clarify: i can see the dangers and problems of a cos cop, but i (stupidedly) still believe there is good in people.Using an uniform to con people out of retirement money is deplorable though. More so when the uniform is real.

I can tell you, I grew up Scientologist. No.. we arent. Most Scio kids dont go to public schooling, they go to a non-accredited school and at the end wind up with no form of education. Schooling is replaced by course. Mostly we are bred to be future Scientologists. Most parents are proud for the doctors, lawyers etc. If we join staff, thats really the comparison.

Higher education is frowned upon for two obvious reasons. One, the tuition would be better spent on $cientology courses, and two, exposure to better education makes it easier to identify what an idiot Hubbard was. His ideas are twisted, contradictory and malevolent, and he is a terrible writer.

Hah! You know, I've had family that were cops, also veterans, also nurses, and teachers and all kinds, and it's tough for us all. It's not just the US that's hurting; it's a worldwide pain. So why should anyone care about an L.A. cop who is obviously enthusiastic about a life changing experience, but not necessarily conducting himself in the best way?

Scientology is more harmful than beneficial to our society and that's the simplicity of it. Why more don't care about it's harm is because it is so small, but the fact is it is one of thousands of "small" harms to our communities that are dragging it down.

Maybe it should start with hiring some of our millions of unemployed, put them on IRS payroll, and weed out the many thousands of bogus 501C's, while at the same time our congressmen and senators amend legislation defining them and the IRS amending the exemptions.

Change the money, change the tax exmpetions, and you change the behavior. simple

Not true, It is honest. And I would not like it if Benjamin Ring resigned. Tough job market for one, and it appears he has no financial savings to fall back on. If he really loves the kind of work he does, he shouldn't resign. I only wish he would read more broadly, to educate himself about the group he is involved in. To look for alternatives that have lesser costs, and less controlling and definitely less abusive, so he can fulfill all his passions and curiosities. Many like me travelled thru scientology for something good. It wasn't there, except good talk therapy, and some good people. We wised up and moved on.

Here's a little Hubbard that I think explains why investing is a bad thing in sci and also maybe why scientology parents pass on this junk:

“You know, every once in a while I hear some father say to his son, you know, ‘Well, I worked and slaved and so forth and finally sent you through school. Bought you nice clothes and set you on your way. And here I am, old and gray.’

You know, the only answer to that is, ‘Why the hell didn’t you make more money?’ I’m afraid that’s not very — not very — not very son-like. But really, it’s the truth! Papa was making a game out of not creating, in some fashion.

Now, if you think the money is the end of the effort, you’re making a bad mistake there too, because it actually is merely a representation of your creativeness, that’s all it is. It merely represents it in some fashion. And if your creativeness is good, you don’t have to worry about saving any money. Your best investment is your own skill and your ability to put things back together again, your ability to stand on two feet and live — that’s your best investment in the world.”

— LRH, Application of Games Theory to Processing, Lecture: Use of Games Theory in Processing, 10 February 1956

It's laid out in "Introduction to Scientology Ethics" book. There are exact crimes and consequences listed out. If you know of a crime, or lesser offences, committed by a Scientologist, you must report it internally. There's an Ethics Officer in every scientology organization. There are upper management organizations and these all have upper echelon versions of ethics officers. If you report a scientologist's crime directly to an authority, like the police, or social services, FBI, etc, you will be considered a Traitor, kicked out, any friends, family, business associates must disconnect from you immediately.

And that's just for starters. The fair game nastiness, (which Tommy Davis says doesn't happen, just like disconnection) will begin. Google Scientology fair game if you want.Or you can watch the movies about people who go up against insurance companies are the tobacco companies, et al, to get a little flavor of what to expect.

The longer you're in Scientology, the more and more you are lead to believe Hubbard had the superior tech on everything, from cleaning clothes, washing windows, to rinsing brains and of course, law, order and the scientology way.

Yes, this is a serious conflict of interest. Above all, it is important to understand that scientology doctrine is one that envelops and enshrines "the end justifies the means" hollow holy holler.

Id guess GED at best. But also remember that the SO 40 years ago is different from SO now. At things have progressed, the attention has shifted from trying to conform to societal standards and keeping in line to just doing whatever the hell they want.

Hmm. you seem well versed in "scientology ethics".Care to explain what "ethics protection policy" is?

Don't worry, let me avail the readers for you!

HCO POLICY LETTER OF l SEPTEMBER AD15Issue VII

RemimeoAll Hats

Div 1ETHICS

ETHICS PROTECTION

Ethics actions must parallel the purposes of Scientology and its organizations.

[...]

We are not in the business of being good boys and girls. We're in the business of going free and getting the org production roaring. Nothing else is of any interest then to Ethics but (a) getting tech in, getting run and getting run right and (b) getting production up and org roaring along.

Therefore if a staff member is getting production up by having his own statistic excellent, Ethics sure isn't interested. But if a staff member isn't producing, shown by his bad statistic for his post, Ethics is fascinated with his smallest misdemeanour.

In short a staff member can get away with murder as long as his statistic is up and can't sneeze without a chop if it's down.

To do otherwise is to permit some suppressive person to simply Ethics chit every producer in the org out of existence.

When people do start reporting a staff member with a high statistic, what you investigate is the person who turned in the report.

[...]--------------------------------------------------------

So, tell us, why is it more important that an "upstat" is given more credibility by default than those that may be writing KR's on criminality or "out-ethics" situations?